North Korea Tests Short-Range Ballistic and Air-Defense Missiles

On May 28, North Korea test-fired at least one Scud-type, short-range ballistic missile. Photographs released by North Korea confirm the missile to be a KN-18, a single-stage, liquid fueled Scud variant. The missile was launched from near Wonsan Airfield in eastern North Korea, reached an altitude of 120 km, and flew approximately 450 km before landing in the Sea of Japan. North Korea first displayed the KN-18 at a military parade in April 2017.

On the same day, North Korea test-fired its KN-06 air-defense missile and subsequently declared the system operational. DPRK leader Kim Jong Un reportedly ordered the system’s mass production and deployment throughout the country.

Missile Threat brings together a wide range of information and analyses relating to the proliferation of cruise and ballistic missiles around the world and the air and missile defense systems designed to defeat them. Missile Threat is a product of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

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